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Garry Killgore ’83, ’89, ’03: Teacher of Year

Garry Killgore has created a career, business, and personal life that embrace his passions for exercise, competition, and fitness.

Garry Killgore has created a career, business, and personal life that embrace his passions for exercise, competition, and fitness. In 2008, he was awarded the Oregon Teacher of the Year award from the Oregon Association for Physical Education, adding to a long list of honors he has received as professor of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Athletics and as head men’s and women’s cross country and track and field coach at Linfield College.

A colleague said, “Garry demonstrates a passion for physical education, exercise and life that is rare…and it’s contagious. His energy and passion transfer to his students and he encourages them to always think outside the box. He teaches not only content, but methodology, critical thinking and problem solving. Garry exemplifies what it means to be Teacher of the Year on a daily basis.”

He is founder and president of AQx Sports, Inc., pioneering new concepts in hydrodynamic training backed by scientific research. It was founded on the principle that aquatic training could be used to improve athletic performance, decrease recovery time after injury, increase fitness and change lives. He has delivered presentations on water training and conditioning in the US, England, Ireland and Spain.

Garry has an OSU “degree sweep” having received his PhD in biomechanics and exercise physiology in 2003, his MS in physical education in 1989, and his BS in physical education in 1983. Following a competitive running career that included honors won at the conference, regional, and national levels, Garry began his teaching and coaching career at the junior high and high school levels before moving on to Linfield.

He has also consulted on speed, strength, and conditioning programs with several other teams and athletes at all levels. He continues his research, specializing in water conditioning for athletes, deep water running, running surface types, running-related injuries, and proper training of athletes and fitness programs for all populations.

Garry, his wife and daughter live in McMinnville, Oregon where, in his free time, Garry watches track and field events and works out in the pool and gym. He enjoys running in MacDonald Forest and on the McKenzie River Trail south of Eugene, tasting his son’s home brew, walking the dog, and fishing, fishing, fishing.